Electrophoretic isoenzyme patterns of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba chattoni in a primate survey

Stocks of Entamoeba histolytica grown in a monoxenic culture system from the feces of nonhuman primates are compared with the eleven zymodemes of E. histolytica so far demonstrated from man. In a similar fashion, Entamoeba chattoni has also been grown and identified. Both E. histolytica and E. chattoni have been demonstrated in keepers of the primate collections. Comparisons have been made using the electrophoretic patterns of three enzymes: glucosephosphate isomerase [(GPI) E.C.5.3.1.9], phosphoglucomutase [(PGM) E.C.2.7.5.1], and L-malate--NADP+ oxidoreductase (oxaloacetate-decarboxylating) [(ME) E.C.1.1.1.40]. Enzyme patterns of E. histolytica from the apes were found to be identical with three of those already demonstrated from man. The enzyme pattern of E. chattoni was distinctly different from that of any of the E. histolytica zymodemes. Other protozoa found in the single fecal sample examined from each subject are also listed.